New York Recreational Dispensaries application period begins

New York officially began accepting applications for recreational cannabis dispensaries on Thursday, a milestone in the Empire State’s new era of legalization.

The state Bureau of Cannabis Management said the window for the first round of applications is September 26.

As announced earlier this year, the first dispensary licenses will be awarded to individuals with cannabis-related convictions or to family members of individuals convicted of marijuana-related offenses, in a program known as the Seeding Opportunity Initiative. ”

“Today’s announcement brings us to the precipice of legal, licensed cannabis sales in New York State,” Tremaine Wright, chair of the Cannabis Control Board, said in a statement Monday. “With the Seeding Opportunity Initiative, New York has reaffirmed our commitment to ensure the first sales are made by those who have been harmed by the ban. We are writing a new playbook on what a just start to a cannabis industry looks like, and we hope future states will follow suit.”

Chris Alexander, Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management, said that the start of the application period represents a “monumental step in building the most equitable, diverse and accessible cannabis industry in the country.”

“We’ve worked to make this application as easy as possible for all interested applicants, and I can’t stress enough that you don’t need any legal expertise to complete this application,” Alexander said.

The state announced the initiative back in March, with Alexander saying at the time that at least the first 100 pharmacy licenses would be given to those with convictions.

Since legalizing adult recreational cannabis last year, New York has made a concerted effort to do what is right for individuals and communities hardest hit by cannabis prohibition.

In January, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the creation of a $200 million fund to support social justice applicants looking to enter the state’s new legal cannabis industry.

“New York’s legalized cannabis industry is evolving, with the state expecting to issue licenses for adult recreational use. But the rise of an industry worth an estimated $4.2 billion must create opportunity for all New Yorkers, especially those from historically marginalized communities,” the governor’s office said in the announcement at the time.

“In support of this goal, Gov. Hochul will establish a $200 million public-private fund to help social justice applicants plan and build their businesses,” the announcement continued. “Royalties and tax revenues will boost the fund and mobilize significant private investment.”

Last month, Hochul announced a $5 million grant to the state’s community colleges to “create or enhance programs that create or enhance undergraduate and graduate courses and programs, stackable credentials, and/or micro-credentials.” , who are quick to respond to the skill needs of local employers the cannabis sector, a projected multi-billion dollar industry employing tens of thousands [of] jobs.”

“New York’s emerging cannabis industry is creating exciting opportunities, and we will ensure New Yorkers seeking careers in this growing sector receive the quality education they need to succeed,” Hochul said in the announcement. “Diversity and inclusion make the New York workforce a competitive, strong asset, and we will continue to take concrete steps to ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate in the cannabis industry.”

Community colleges selected for the grant “must also work with local employers in the cannabis industry and receive their input on curriculum development,” the state said last month, adding that “the New York State Department of Labor and the Office of Cannabis Management do will do Support efforts to expand learning opportunities by connecting companies and job seekers to these essential training programmes.”